Pop Century and MME ?

[joe-aka-papabear]

We will be using MME and staying at POP with an 8:05 return flight on Sunday May 8th.(I have read that the MME desk opens at 5am) Will we be cutting it to close using MME. Should I use an alternate form of transportation to MCO. Any help will be appreciated.

 

[Ted in Halifax]

Not a problem, I've left POP for an earlier flight. Take ME ... save your money.

 

[Dacky619]

We will be using MME and staying at POP with an 8:05 return flight on Sunday May 8th.(I have read that the MME desk opens at 5am) Will we be cutting it to close using MME. Should I use an alternate form of transportation to MCO. Any help will be appreciated.

The RAC desk opens at 5 (it is separate from Magical Express). That is where you can check your bags at the resort, but I think they must be checked at least 3 hours before your flight leaves, which would be 5 minutes after they open. If I were you, I would take my own luggage to the airport. But you won't have any problem using Magical Express.

 

[joe-aka-papabear]

Will it be an issue that we only have 5 minutes in regards to the guidelines of checking our luggage at the resort ? If it is, I will probably skip MME and just rent a car in DTD after check in but return it to MCO and drive ourselves and luggage back.

 

[Lewisc]

Will it be an issue that we only have 5 minutes in regards to the guidelines of checking our luggage at the resort ? If it is, I will probably skip MME and just rent a car in DTD after check in but return it to MCO and drive ourselves and luggage back.

3 hours is a computer enforced rule, not a guideline. I don't think the RAC desk opens early. I'm not sure check in can be completed in 5 minutes, even if you're the first people in line.

The DME driver will stow your bags under the bus. You can certainly rent a car or book a car service. I wouldn't rent a car just to drive back to the airport. If you don't otherwise need a car I'd either take the bus or book a car service.

 

[goofy4tink]

Will it be an issue that we only have 5 minutes in regards to the guidelines of checking our luggage at the resort ? If it is, I will probably skip MME and just rent a car in DTD after check in but return it to MCO and drive ourselves and luggage back.

I think you're confusing the two systems. RAC (remote airline checkin) allows you to check your bags at the resort and get your boading passes at that time. This service starts at 5am each morning and closes down at 1pm. YOu have to have your bags checked and boarding passes in hand no less than three hours before flight departure. 5 mins is not enough time to do this.

Then, there is DME (Disneys Magical Express) which gets you to and from the airport. For your return trip you can bring your bags with you, to the bus. The bags will then be stowed beneath your bus and given to you when you get off at the airport. You would then check them the 'old fashioned way' and get your boarding passes.

So...renting a car and spending that money, just to get you and your luggage to MCO is a waste. You can achieve the same thing with DME. You can get the DME bus at 3am if you have to!! And your bags go with you as well.


Many, many people still get RAC and DME confused. Disney markets the two services as 'DME' but that isn't really the case. In fact, you can use RAC to check your bags and get boarding passes even if you don't ride the DME back to MCO. Many guests do this when hiring a car service or renting a car. It's nice to not have to lug your bags to the airport and check them there. But, if you're flying before 8:30am, it's not going to work out for you.

 

[Sandi]

I think you're confusing the two systems. RAC (remote airline checkin) allows you to check your bags at the resort and get your boading passes at that time. This service starts at 5am each morning and closes down at 1pm. YOu have to have your bags checked and boarding passes in hand no less than three hours before flight departure. 5 mins is not enough time to do this.

Then, there is DME (Disneys Magical Express) which gets you to and from the airport. For your return trip you can bring your bags with you, to the bus. The bags will then be stowed beneath your bus and given to you when you get off at the airport. You would then check them the 'old fashioned way' and get your boarding passes.

So...renting a car and spending that money, just to get you and your luggage to MCO is a waste. You can achieve the same thing with DME. You can get the DME bus at 3am if you have to!! And your bags go with you as well.


Many, many people still get RAC and DME confused. Disney markets the two services as 'DME' but that isn't really the case. In fact, you can use RAC to check your bags and get boarding passes even if you don't ride the DME back to MCO. Many guests do this when hiring a car service or renting a car. It's nice to not have to lug your bags to the airport and check them there. But, if you're flying before 8:30am, it's not going to work out for you.

Well done explanation. Thank you.

Pardon my hijack, but my flight is scheduled to depart at 8:45 a.m. Do you pros believe we'll have sufficient time to use RAC? -- assuming I get the bags there right about 5:00 a.m. I'm guessing we'll have a 5:45 pick up for DME. We're staying at FW Cabins.

 

[maxiesmom]

Well done explanation. Thank you.

Pardon my hijack, but my flight is scheduled to depart at 8:45 a.m. Do you pros believe we'll have sufficient time to use RAC? -- assuming I get the bags there right about 5:00 a.m. I'm guessing we'll have a 5:45 pick up for DME. We're staying at FW Cabins.

You should have enough time. But be at the RAC desk in line right at 5am, if not before. No mucking around.

Keep in mind to that sometimes DME is early to the bus stop, even for rides that early in the day. I didn't think of that, and my dad almost missed his bus once. It would have been my fault, as I had booked his flight for him and told him how to use DME.

 

[goofy4tink]

Well done explanation. Thank you.

Pardon my hijack, but my flight is scheduled to depart at 8:45 a.m. Do you pros believe we'll have sufficient time to use RAC? -- assuming I get the bags there right about 5:00 a.m. I'm guessing we'll have a 5:45 pick up for DME. We're staying at FW Cabins.

Your pickup could be anwhere from 8:30 to 8:50...depends on the particular bus route that day.
Anyway, you should be okay as long as you are there at 5am....bags ready to go. Then, be sure that everyone in your group has their carryon stuff all set, potty breaks have been taken, and you are out at the DME bus stop about 15 mins before your scheduled pickup time.
Checking your bags shouldn't take more than 15 mins.

 

[joe-aka-papabear]

Awesome...thank you for all the info. Now, all things considered, should I use MME and rent a vehicle in DTD that Saturday when I arrive and return it that Saturday night before I leave or........Just rent from MCO when we arrive and return it there when we leave.
I am definitely renting a minivan as there will be 6 of us, 2 which are kids. I like the freedom of having our own vehicle and booked thru AAA so I will have a diamond parking pass. When I leave a park at night I just dont want to wait for a bus.

or

Should I save the $400 and just use disney transportation the whole time. I need to my a grocery store run at some point. Diapers, milk,snacks etc...etc..

 

[seashoreCM]

Being in line at the baggage checking desk does not count as being on time for the DME bus.

Will it be an issue that we only have 5 minutes in regards to the guidelines of checking our luggage at the resort?

Yes, it will be an issue.

If T-15 (for your assigned bus) comes and you are still in the baggage check line, abort that activity and drag your baggage over to the bus platform.

 

[disney11fan]

We will be using MME and staying at POP with an 8:05 return flight on Sunday May 8th.(I have read that the MME desk opens at 5am) Will we be cutting it to close using MME. Should I use an alternate form of transportation to MCO. Any help will be appreciated.

i had a flight similar flight lst year. the guy that checked in so me standing there at about 4:45 he started work earlier than he had to and had me done in about 10 minutes and i was on the 5am bus for the airport.

also left him a ncie tip for starting early.

 

[disney11fan]

Awesome...thank you for all the info. Now, all things considered, should I use MME and rent a vehicle in DTD that Saturday when I arrive and return it that Saturday night before I leave or........Just rent from MCO when we arrive and return it there when we leave.
I am definitely renting a minivan as there will be 6 of us, 2 which are kids. I like the freedom of having our own vehicle and booked thru AAA so I will have a diamond parking pass. When I leave a park at night I just dont want to wait for a bus.

or

Should I save the $400 and just use disney transportation the whole time. I need to my a grocery store run at some point. Diapers, milk,snacks etc...etc..

disney car care center form national. they will pick you up for free at the hotel and take you to the car care center. a one day rental is abt $45. check to see if you get a corporate discount thur work and aaa and aarp and entertainment book. we have rented in the past for one day did our shopping run returnd the car the next day and they even took us where we wanted on disney property.

 

[maxiesmom]

Awesome...thank you for all the info. Now, all things considered, should I use MME and rent a vehicle in DTD that Saturday when I arrive and return it that Saturday night before I leave or........Just rent from MCO when we arrive and return it there when we leave.
I am definitely renting a minivan as there will be 6 of us, 2 which are kids. I like the freedom of having our own vehicle and booked thru AAA so I will have a diamond parking pass. When I leave a park at night I just dont want to wait for a bus.

or

Should I save the $400 and just use disney transportation the whole time. I need to my a grocery store run at some point. Diapers, milk,snacks etc...etc..

I wouldn't rent a car. Spend a little of it having groceries delived to your resort. There are a couple of different places that do that, Garden Grocer is the one I have used. You have to order at least $40 worth of stuff, but they will deliver it to your resort. You don't even have to be there when it is delivered. The resort CMs will hold it for you, and if you have any cold stuff they will keep it cold.

You may not have to wait for a bus if you rent a car, but sometimes traffic can be a bear. And I don't like driving at night with a bunch of people (me included) who are not that sure of the roads. I would let Disney handle all of the transportation. Save the $400 on the rental.

 

[goofy4tink]

Awesome...thank you for all the info. Now, all things considered, should I use MME and rent a vehicle in DTD that Saturday when I arrive and return it that Saturday night before I leave or........Just rent from MCO when we arrive and return it there when we leave.
I am definitely renting a minivan as there will be 6 of us, 2 which are kids. I like the freedom of having our own vehicle and booked thru AAA so I will have a diamond parking pass. When I leave a park at night I just dont want to wait for a bus.

or

Should I save the $400 and just use disney transportation the whole time. I need to my a grocery store run at some point. Diapers, milk,snacks etc...etc..

Only you can make that decision. If it were me, I wouldn't bother, but then again, I seldom have issues with the buses. I use GardenGrocer or Wegoshop for grocery delivery...both have worked out very well.
But, again, that's your decision. What works for one person may not work for someone else.

 

[CleveRocks]

If your ONLY reason for renting a car is for a grocery run, then you shouldn't bother with the rental. Get a grocery delivery from Garden Grocer or from Gooding's. Their delivery fees are less costly than a taxi and MUCH less costly than a rental car.

Of course, if you want a car for other reasons, then by all means rent the car. But JUST for groceries? That would be a waste of time and money.